Archbishop denounced division and tension government has fostered among Venezuelans

Caracas, Venezuela, Jun 27, 2007 / 11:35 am (CNA).- Archbishop Reinaldo del Prette of Valencia said this week President Hugo Chavez’s heavy-handed manner of governing has created division and tension among Venezuelans, even among families.

“I don’t understand how he can impose a system by force without addressing matters with reason and with arguments, thus trying win support from others. This has created the tension and division which we have seen in the country, even in the heart of families,” the archbishop said during a meeting with students. He told them that national reconciliation “results from open and sincere dialogue,” “especially with you young people.”

In a democracy, he continued, “one must persuade rather than impose,” because “ideas and the truth are what convince.” “One must have sufficient humility and sincerity” to recognize when the other person speaks the truth. He called on President Chavez to “lower the tone of confrontation in order to seek out reconciliation.”